Trekking Khanji to Lamayuru

ossen

Hello people,

Me and my girlfriend are headed to India in August and only a few issues remain to find out, which is why I turn to you.

After a lot of thought I have become more and more tempted to trek from Khanji to Shilakong Gorge, Honupatta, Wanla and Lamayuru(in 4 days) this August. Maps tell me there is a path, and from what I have found out it is not an overtly strenous route.

A few questions arise however;

Ideally I would like to arrange a ponyman/cook/guide directly rather than through an agency, is this possible to do in advance? How much should one expect to pay? Should one have room for the ponymen etc. in ones tent/sleeping bags?

Is it possible to arrange a taxi from Ang or Temisgom to Khanji on the spot, or are these villages too remote to expect to find a taxi?

How much should we expect to pay for a taxi from Leh to Keylong, and how long does it take, approximately?

Where would be most interesting to celebrate the Indian independence day, Keylong or Leh? (Keylong in conjunction with the local Buddhist festival, Leh with the cricket match)?

Thank you for any help!!

VSK Sharma

Hi,
The treks in Ladakh have easy trails but because of the altitude you can land in problem if not acclimatised to the high altitude.
Finding Mule/ donkey may be a bit of a problem at the starting point. Find out about this before leaving Leh. Once at Leh you can have lot's of info about the place. Horseman always carry their own tent and you do not have to share any with them. They also act as guide. Or the cook will do the job. There are eating places at Lamayuru, Wanla and Hanupatta. Khanji shall also be able to provide you food. About the gorge please find out. Lamayuru is a big base for the trekking parties and you can have the info there about the region.
If your route is via Keylong as you are going to move into Ladakh spend you 15 Aug there. Run from Leh to Keylong may take 12 - 14 hr appx.
have a good time and share your exp on your return.

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http://himalayancamping.com/index.php

ossen

Hello

Thank you for the reply and good info!

I appreciate the tips concerning acclimatization. We are actually flying to Leh and taking it very easy the first few days. Then we will embark on the Likir-Temisgam trek before continuing to Khanji. We will reach 4800 metres at Yogma La after Khanji, sleep at 4090 metres in Shilakong Gorge and pass Snigutse La(5050 metres) before descending to Honupatta.

I imagined a good week of mixed relaxation/short trek and nights at carefully increasing altitudes(Khanji being highest before high passes) being a fairly decent plan, but I might be wrong. I have experience from trekking at similar altitudes in Venezuela, with a much faster rate of ascent to 5000 metres, but of course I am unsure on how my girlfriend will react to the altitude, and we will obviously be flexible to changing plans if symptoms proved severe.

However, we will be leaving from Leh, and would have liked to experience either the Polo match+independence day, or the buddhist festival+independence day in Keylong. Whichever proved more interesting.

Will do a travelogue afterwards, I have been dreaming about this trip for years!